Kelowna

Summer Fun For All Ages: Part II

There is so much to see and do in Kelowna, that it is broken into two parts for you. This week I take a look at things to do other than around the lake. If your favourite attraction or "thing to do" is not here please check last week's feature, or let me know so I can include it in another feature.

Golf
There are more golf courses per capita in the Kelowna area than any other area in British Columbia. Quail Ridge is one of the newest destination resorts which also has a world class 18 hole course. The developers spared no expense in bringing golfers the finest in course design and amenities.

Kelowna Golf and Country Club is one of the oldest and possibly the most prestigious courses in the entire Okanagan. If you are coming to play here, please remember to reserve your tee times well in advance so that you are not disappointed.

Shadow Ridge and Central Golf courses, along with Michael Brook Ranch Golf Course and Mission Creek Golf Club are only 10 minutes drive from downtown Kelowna, and are geared to give the recreational golfer value for their money, without the challenge of the beautiful Gallagher's Canyon Golf Course, which is 15 minutes from downtown.

Altogether there are 18 golf courses, seven driving ranges, and one Mini-Golf within 30 minutes of Kelowna, just about enough for a golfer with 14 days holidays to find something to do.

Trail Riding
For those who like to ride, there are a number of trail riding facilities in the Kelowna area. The nicest one we have been to is Mandy and Me, just across the bridge on the Westside of Kelowna. The professional trail guides and their horses are experienced in working with the most terrified child novice to the most experienced adult rider. Mandy and Me also hosts therapeutic riding for people with special needs such as being mentally or physically challenged. There are a total of six outlets for trail riding in the Kelowna area for you to choose from.

Restaurants
Everybody has to eat, so Kelowna has taken on the task of being able to feed over 6,000 people at one time. Pick your favorite cuisine from one of the 300+ restaurants in the area and dig in. If you're looking for something unique in a restaurant, take the Fintry Queen, a restored stern wheeler which will take you for a cruise on the lake as you enjoy your evening meal. You will find the Fintry Queen located at the foot of Bernard Avenue, or out on a cruise.

Nightlife
Kelowna has three Rock and Roll nightclubs in the downtown core for your drinking and dancing pleasure. Just to the north of town, (about six blocks) is Flashbacks where you can get back to the 50's and 60's. If Country Music is more to your liking, The OK Corral Cabaret is only 10 minutes from downtown and only three block off the highway. It is the only nightclub in town with a hitching post for your horse. The Blue Gator plays blues and is located about 10 blocks from Flashbacks towards the floating bridge.

For a quieter evening out, there are no less than 22 neighbourhood pubs, which serve good food, and allow for friendly conversation with the locals, and maybe even a friendly game of darts or billiards.

Like to gamble? Kelowna has a casino downtown which opens at 6pm, and a bingo hall (Dabbers) which opens at noon most days.

Movies and Theatre
If you need to get into an air conditioned building for a couple of hours without going to the mall, there are 3 theatres in the Kelowna area 1 on McCurdy Road next to Quizno's submarine, 1 on Cooper Road across from the Orchard Plaza, and another on Bernard Road close to city park. There is another theater across the bridge in Westbank. There is also an EXCELLENT live theatre which puts on summer stock, featuring both local actors and actors from around the province. Well worth checking out if you enjoy live theatre.

Where to stay
Wherever you want to stay, please take note of two words of advice - MAKE RESERVATIONS!
There are a number of excellent hotels, motels, campsites and Bed & Breakfasts to stay in while you are in the Central Okanagan. If you are going to be in Kelowna for the August long weekend, check with your travel agent for hotels who may have tickets for the Unlimited Class Hydroplane Races.

If eating at the Eldorado Hotel have one of the long time staff tell you how the hotel was floated down the lake to it's present location. For those of us who witnessed this event it was quite something to see.